Guy Oliver Speaks

I’ve intentionally avoided any detailed discussion of a life in prison. My son told me stories; stories I wish I didn’t know; things better left unsaid; things that demonstrate our justice system is anything but just. But a reality of prison life that bears on this part of his story is the violent nature the system breeds. Continue reading →

“Hello?”

“Dad; it’s Tim.”

“Hi, Tim. It’s good to hear from you. How are things? Any progress on welding school?”

A catch in his voice.

“Well, that’s why I’m calling.”

“What’s wrong?

“I was all set. Mom had signed me up for this really great VoTech school. One of the best programs in the state. I was supposed to start in two weeks.”

“What happened?”

“I…”

Silence.

“I couldn’t pass the background check. I was rejected because of my felony convictions.”

These are the moments they don’t tell you about. The moments after prison when someone is simply trying to move forward and rebuild his life, but begins to experience the harsh aftermath. Like the aftershock after a terrible earthquake, the fragile constitution of a life is yet again threatened by the obstacles that inevitably beset the future plans of the prisoner, reformed to fit his current station. Continue reading →

They released him from the bars that enclosed him, but they didn’t prepare him for life outside the walls that imprisoned him. I spoke with a friend of his about his life after prison expecting to hear how thankful he was to have regained his liberty—to be outside those walls. I wasn’t prepared for her response. I was instead reminded of a poignant moment from the film The Patriot.

A posted bill from General Washington announcing that all slaves in service to the war effort for one year will be granted freedom. A slave from the militia uttered a single word in response:

“Freedom.”

His comment was met with a callous retort from one of the other men:

“What the hell are you gonna do with freedom?”

Continue reading →